South East

As part of its commitment to safe roads, the Highways Agency will be carrying out four nights of resurfacing work on the A249 at the Queenborough Junction on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent.

Work will start on Friday night (25 July) and is expected to be completed by Thursday 31 July.

To limit delays to road users the work will be carried out overnight (10pm-6am), during which time the A249 will be closed, requiring short diversions around the Queenborough Junction for affected traffic, which have been agreed with the local authority.

The southbound A249 (towards Maidstone) will be closed overnight between Whiteways Roundabout and the A250 Minster traffic lights on Friday 25 July and again Monday 28, Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 July.

During each closure, southbound traffic will be diverted via the A249 Brielle Way, the B2007 and the A250 Queenborough Road before rejoining the A249 dual carriageway.

The northbound A249 (towards Sheerness) will be closed between the A250 and the B2007 Main Road on Friday 25 July and again on Monday 28 Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 July. Northbound traffic will be diverted via the A250 towards Minster and the B2007 Main Road, and the rejoining the A249 dual carriageway.

All diversions will be clearly signed, and traffic management will be removed outside of working hours.
Arvind Ranpuria, route manager for the Highways Agency said:

"This resurfacing work will help keep journeys on the A249 safe and reliable. By carrying out the work overnight, we hope to limit delays for road users. I would like to advise drivers to plan their journeys before setting out and allow some extra time if they are travelling while work is taking place. Particularly, I would like to remind people to take particular care whilst driving through the works and to obey all traffic signs."

Ends

Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves England's motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.

2. The Highways Agency traffic information website is at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo.

3. For real-time traffic information, the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated telephone service is on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more)

4. For general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls from BT landlines to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 4p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more.).

Safety at roadworks

The Highways Agency is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of roadworkers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:

* Keep within the speed limit - it is there for your safety.

* Get into the correct lane in good time - don't keep switching.

* Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.

* Be alert for works' traffic leaving or entering roadworks.

* Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front.

* Observe all signs - they are there to help you.

Issued by the Highways Agency South East Press Office.

Client ref SE164-08

COI ref 163809P